How severe is CVE-2020-3473?

CVE-2020-3473 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-3473 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (30th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-3473?

CVE-2020-3473 affects Cisco Ios Xr. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-3473?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-3473 published?

CVE-2020-3473 was published on 2020-09-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-3473

CVE-2020-3473 is a high-severity vulnerability in Cisco Ios Xr with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-863.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (30th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-863
Affected product: Cisco Ios Xr
Published: 2020-09-04
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability in task group assignment for a specific CLI command in Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an authenticated, local CLI shell user to elevate privileges and gain full administrative control of the device. The vulnerability is due to incorrect mapping of a command to task groups within the source code. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by first authenticating to the local CLI shell on the device and using the CLI command to bypass the task group–based checks. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to elevate privileges and perform actions on the device without authorization checks.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-3473?: A vulnerability in task group assignment for a specific CLI command in Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an authenticated, local CLI shell user to elevate privileges and gain full administrative control of the device. The vulnerability is due to incorrect mapping of a command to task groups within the source code. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by first authenticating to the local CLI shell on the device and using the CLI command to bypass the task group–based checks. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to elevate privileges and perform actions on the device without authorization checks.
How severe is CVE-2020-3473?: CVE-2020-3473 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-3473 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (30th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-3473?: CVE-2020-3473 affects Cisco Ios Xr. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-3473?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-3473 published?: CVE-2020-3473 was published on 2020-09-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-iosxr-LJtNFjeN

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:cisco:ios_xr:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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